A Cottage by the Sea

Microburst miracle

7/20/2019

A few evenings ago we experienced a microburst, a mini-hurricane. The intensity lasted about a minute, then rain, then it stopped, and then the ball game began.
Only a few little branches fell in our yard, but not so in the neighborhood. On my walk the next day branches covered the walkway and it looked like the five trees that split open and fell in one yard missed the house. I call it a miracle.
In the aftermath of such a microburst, I’m thinking that any tree or branch still standing will be given a reprieve when the next storm appears.

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Reading is a constant

7/16/2019

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One of the constants in my life is reading. Constant when silence, solitude, and simplicity are interrupted in small or big ways, and constant when all is calm. There is always a book on the table. Of the books i took out the other day on Touch a Truck Day, I’ve read two, discarded two, kept one, and taken out another. For me this is easy joy because I live across from the library. But wherever I might live in town, it would be an easy drive. Not so in the city; carrying five or six books home on public transportation would be a challenge.
Then there is the beautiful truth that libraries are free. I’m aware that my library habit doesn’t support the economy the way that book buying does, but with all these freedoms, I read more .
Retreat into a book and you’ll always have a hold on silence, solitude, and simplicity.

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Books and trucks and the library

7/10/2019

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What a surprise to see that this is my first post of the month. It’s been busy here at Camp Fisher but now things are back to our usual silent, solitary, and simple routine. July 4th festivities and company have departed. All good. In fact they make this quiet time more precious and appreciated. I definitely like a change of pace.
   Earlier this morning, from our open widows, I could hear the whistle of the little train at Truck Day over at the library. Well, when we took our grandkids it was called “Truck Day,” but now it’s “Touch a Truck Day.”
    I just went over; took a few pictures outside, and a few books from inside--random books from the stacks. New books don’t seem to appeal to me these days. Maybe it’s because the characters are younger than me—younger by many, many years. Maybe I want stories set back when I was younger. Regardless, I wanted a good novel so I pulled a book from the shelf, read the dust cover, and made a choice. I came home with five.
      I’m very grateful for libraries and that I live within hearing and seeing distance of one.

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Summer visits made simple

6/30/2019

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Simple chicken tetrazzini ready for the freezer.

With the onset of summer, many of us will be having visitors and perhaps doing some visiting ourselves. How can we experience silence, solitude, and simplicity during these times, when, as in my case, family is coming for a week? To begin with, my family is easy and pretty much tension free, which makes it a exponentially easier to tap into the silence, solitude, and simplicity that is deep within us. But we have to be able to that regardless of the circumstances.
There are practical things we can do, which may be enough: carve out times for silence and solitude, and plan simple meals. All this sound so obvious, which it is, and yet I need such a reminder so unnecessary frenzy doesn’t develop.
One more thing, your visitors will welcome some silence and solitude, and appreciate that you, as hostess, are keeping it simple.

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Trying to keep it simple

6/24/2019

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I feel especially refreshed this morning seeing the cardinals and finches flit about in the tree outside my window as they prepare to swoop down to the kitchen feeder.
     Our new neighbors had to take down a big tree in their back yard. They were so apologetic, but, for us, our garden receives more sunlight.
     On Saturday I swooped my phone up with two prayer shawls and some sheets and threw the bunch in the washing machine. I tell myself it was time for an upgrade and the young, young man at the Apple Store knew how to do everything to transfer my date. Amazing.
       Maybe it’s time to use my phone a little more smartly, such as simply putting my library card on. But really, it’s a challenge to keep life simple when I have all those apps staring at me when I turn on the phone…when all I want to do is take a photograph.

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Last morning in Edinburgh

6/20/2019

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My last morning in Edinburgh. My flight is delayed until 1:00 and thankfully Delta let me know of the change via email. So here I sit at the go-to café I discovered on my second morning here, enjoying coffee, croissants and other breads, porridge, fruit and easy internet access.
   For those of you who sometimes like to be alone (and live on the east coast of the U.S. or in Europe), Edinburgh is the perfect city for a get-away week. There is plenty to do; everything is within walking distance of the city center, and there is also the hop-on-hop-off bus to give your body a rest while taking in the scenic views and learning the history of the city.
    As many of you know, I love to get away by myself for extended periods of time. I love not talking with anyone or having to make plans with a fellow traveler. I am never lonely. This isn’t the only way to travel, nor does it appeal to everyone. The point is, however, to figure out what works for you. If you are reading this blog, you probably want time extended times alone. Search for the solitude that feeds you.
      I’m refreshed and ready to return to a busy summer, both social and solitary.

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Early morning walk along the Royal Mile

6/18/2019

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Another writing breakfast in Edinburgh

6/17/2019

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Solitary travel or not, I continue to learn to try new things, even in a city I know well. At the moment I am sitting at the Element, a restaurant on Rose Street in New Town, enjoying my second day of eggs Benedict of the trip. But this learning has nothing to do with the eggs; I know all about them! Rather, it is this: do not to judge a restaurant by its exterior.
The outside was not much, but I was hungry and decided to step inside, and to my surprise, into an inviting pub and restaurant. In the back room were folks enjoying coffee with breakfast, or as was the case since it was near noon, enjoying wine or beer with their fish and chips.
Edinburgh seems to be filled with these kinds of eating spots. The same menu all day and welcoming us to pull our a computer, whereas ‘in the old days’ it would be a book.

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First day in Edinburgh

6/13/2019

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Less than 24 hours ago I was sitting in my sunny backyard before heading to the airport and on my way to Edinburgh. Now I find myself warming up out of the rain in the reference room of the National Scottish Library. My suitcase is waiting for me at the hotel for a 3PM check-in. I’ve wandered across Waverly Bridge, enjoyed Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, and now I am here in this silent place.
I could be annoyed that it is cold and rainy and that I couldn’t check into my room, but I’m not. Would I be more content if it were sunny? I don’t think so. With a certain equanimity I’ve come to accept whatever presents itself during my solitary travel. I‘ve come to expect the unknown as part of the known.

From my hotel window: the Scot Monument, Princes Street, and the Royal Mile in the distance.

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A beautiful day

6/4/2019

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Not much silence, solitude or simplicity in my life these days, but the reward will come a week from tomorrow when I fly to Edinburgh for a week wandering Old Town and New Town and the Princes Garden in between.
Life is always full of joys and sadnesses: the joy of two grandchildren graduating form high school and on their way to college in the fall: the sadness of the passing of two dear friends in their nineties.
Today I am very grateful for this beautiful day.

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Microburst miracle

Reading is a constant

Books and trucks and the library

Summer visits made simple

Trying to keep it simple

Last morning in Edinburgh

Early morning walk along the Royal Mile

Another writing breakfast in Edinburgh

First day in Edinburgh

A beautiful day

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